The cover of The Hollies’ hit He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother is 14,000 ahead of X Factor winner James Arthur’s song Impossible

The single released in memory of the 96 football fans who died in the Hillsborough tragedy looks set to be the Christmas No1.

The Justice Collective’s cover of The Hollies’ hit He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother is 14,000 ahead of X Factor winner James Arthur’s song Impossible.

The two songs have been locked in a head-to-head. The reality show singer's Impossible edged ahead earlier this week, but has since lost ground.

So far, the Justice Collective record has sold 146,000 copies and remains in prime position to take the top spot when the chart is announced on Sunday.

The Justice Collective’s project manager Pete Byrne said: “It’s going to be a close one – we’re 14,000 ahead of the X Factor at the moment, but that could change in an hour.

“We’re asking people who haven’t yet bought the single to now do so. The long road to justice is finally being walked after the inquests were quashed at the High Court.

“Let’s get the families the support they’ll need to finish the journey.”

The He Ain’t Heavy reworking was the brainchild of Liverpool MP Steve Rotheram to raise funds for the families’ forthcoming legal battle, although that financial hurdle was eased this week when the government announced they would pay the relatives’ fees at next year’s inquests.

The track was inspired by the sight of two red and blue shirted children who walked out to the track during a tribute to the dead at Liverpool’s cross-city rivals Everton at Goodison Park in the days after the release of the damning Independent Hillsborough Report which exposed the cover-up surrounding the 23-year-old tragedy.

It is produced by Robbie Williams’ long-time collaborator Guy Chambers and also features Peter Hooton of The Farm, Dave McCabe of The Zutons, John Power from Cast, Gerry Marsden, Paloma Faith, Eliza Doolittle, Beverley Knight and Mick Jones of The Clash

Chancellor George Osborne confirmed this week he would waive VAT on the sale of the single due to its charitable status.

Liverpool FC boss Brendan Rodgers is also urging fans to buy the record.

He said: “I really hope all football fans will buy the single and show their support for the Hillsborough families.

“We can help them by getting this single to No 1 for Christmas. That would be a fantastic tribute at the end of this year. Every single penny goes towards the families in their ongoing bid for justice.”

HMV bosses have described the fight for Christmas number one as the closest in history with ‘phenomenal’ sales reported in Liverpool and the North West, but also healthy figures clocked elsewhere in the country.